One in five Americans has a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause serious health problems if it goes untreated. Getting the appropriate treatment begins with STD testing from Yaminah Matthews, APRN, FNP-C, at Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic in Waxahachie, Texas. Because it’s easy to miss the symptoms, STD testing is often the only way to know you have an infection. Don’t wait to call the office or request an appointment online today.

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When do I need STD testing?

You can’t always depend on having symptoms to alert you to having a sexually transmitted infection. STD testing is often the only way to learn you have an infection and the only way to confirm the type of STD you may have.

You should schedule STD testing at Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic if you have the following:

  • A new partner
  • Multiple partners
  • Symptoms of an STD
  • A partner who learns they have an STD

If you have any questions about STDs or when to seek testing, don’t hesitate to call Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic. They can help you decide if you’re at risk for an STD.

What symptoms indicate I need STD testing?

You may not recognize STD symptoms because they can be mild, short-lived, or may never appear. However, the infection stays in your body no matter what symptoms you have and after they disappear.

Your symptoms depend on the type of STD. As a group, these infections cause:

  • Bumps, blisters, or warts on your genitals
  • Painless sores on your genitals
  • Discharge from your vagina or penis
  • Pain or burning when urinating or having sex
  • Needing to urinate frequently
  • Itching, pain, or swelling around the vagina

Certain STDs, including gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis B, cause flu-like symptoms (fatigue, headache, fever, and sore throat).

What conditions are diagnosed with STD testing?

STD testing identifies all sexually transmitted infections, including:

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes simplex virus
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis B
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Mycoplasma genitalium

Untreated STDs cause numerous possible health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm delivery, infertility, and cervical and throat cancer.

What type of STD testing might I need?

The testing you need depends on the type of STD you may have. Yaminah takes one or more of the following and sends the sample to a lab for testing:

  • Blood sample
  • Urine sample
  • Swab of tissues from your mouth
  • Swab of tissues from your genitals
  • Swab of any sores or fluids
  • Tissue sample from your cervix (Pap smear)

Yaminah can narrow down the samples needed if you have certain symptoms or your partner tested positive for a specific STD.

Call Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic today or request an appointment online for STD testing.